Ajwain seeds are very small. The seed rate per ha is 2.5 kg for row sowing with seed hopper. The seed should also needs shallow sowing. Usually fine sand or rice semolina mixed with seed and sown. The spacing followed is 60x20 cm. The crop is sown in rows, later thinned to maintain plants at 20 cm apart within the row.
An alternative to this is to increase the size by pelletizing. Is there any reliable method for pelletizing for increasing the size. I have gone through many articles on pelletizing. I want those with pelletizing experience to add their inputs. Others also welcome.
I am.nkt sure that I know anything about sowing.. but pelletizing there are some basics. You can pelletize by extrusion, compression or layering.. without harming the seeds.
Extrusion.. these require a pressure chanmber, quick binder, extrusion hole and cutting mechanism. .. these type of pelletizing by extrusion is already present in agro and wood pellet industries .but extrusion may harm seeds.
Compression.. . These need mold (plate or rollers) and compression force.. again these may harm seeds.
Layering.. it's easy and harmless to seeds.. but depend on seed size, type of binder and type of equipment used.
Seed size... As the seed size is uncontrollable by human beings.. the role of binder playes to a greater extent.
Binder.. now we have to do research mainly on type of binder.. possibly organic non toxic ones.. a few suggestions includes.. juggery (gur), glues (natural rubber syrup or acacia glue, maida flour , alkatra glue etc). These binders will hold the seeds in a good way. And stabilization of pellet will be ensured by pelletizing time, moisture content etc.
Pelletizer... As we know drum and plate type are predominantly present in market. A drum type one is easy for operation in batches. But again the type of binder use will impact it's maintenance as there will be sticking.. a periodical maintenance or liner type used will help in this regard.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Seeds